After a few years of waiting, construction has finally begun on the second phase of Journal Squared, in Jersey City’s Journal Square neighborhood. Back in August, YIMBY interviewed Mayor Fulop who indicated progress on the site would be imminent, and now the latest photos from apophenic show that excavation has officially commenced on the tower. Designed by HWKN/Hollwich Kushner and Handel Architects, it will stand 72 floors and 759 feet to its rooftop.

Those measurements are impressive, but it will still fall a few dozen feet short of the state’s current tallest, at 30 Hudson Street. The relatively prominent elevation of Journal Square will ensure it punches quite a bit above its weight, with the 90′ base height giving the tower a visual boost. At 849′ to tip relative to the waterfront, that will make it the second-most prominent in the city upon completion, behind the 900-foot 99 Hudson Street (also lacking elevation, located adjacent to the Hudson River).

Journal Squared, site photo by apophenic

The first tower of Journal Squared has 54 floors and 538 apartments, and the second phase will add about 600 units, though the exact number has not yet been confirmed. The entirety of the site will wind up with 1,840 rentals by the time the third tower is completed, and that part of the plan is currently expected to stand about 60 floors in height.

Completion of the second phase is likely by the end of 2020, and Kushner Real Estate Development is the site’s developer. The towering triplets will eventually be joined by another set of twin buildings dubbed One Journal Square, by Kushner Companies, just a short walk away, which also recently saw a redesign approved by the city.

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